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 Trent University Approves First Integrated PlanFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: From the Board of Governors Meeting – June 23, 2011 Integrated Plan Trent University today approved its first ever Integrated Plan titled, “Sustainable Future: The First Integrated Plan for Trent University (2010-2015).” The Integrated Plan follows the approval of a new Vision, Mission and Strategic Directions for the University in 2010. “Collegiality, collaboration and an empowering approach have been at the centre of a community-wide consultation process that has resulted in Trent approving its first ever Integrated Plan,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, President and Vice-Chancellor. “I am very proud that a new momentum is in place that will enhance the strategic positioning of the University and allow Trent to continue to build on the Integrated Planning process.” The Integrated Plan identifies four Institutional priorities for the 2011-12 year: • Commitment to Academic Excellence (including an Academic Plan) As part of the Integrated Plan process, key actions will be recommended for consideration in annual phases, with regular reporting and a commitment to transparency. This approach will provide opportunities for widespread engagement and successful implementation of important decisions in the next four years. A new planning phase now begins as this approval is a milestone that marks the conclusion of the first two years of Integrated Planning at Trent, and points the way to continued renewal of the institution. Theplanwas previously approved by Trent’s Senate on May 10, 2011. A copy of the plan is available at: http://www.trentu.ca/administration/documents/integratedplan.pdf President’s Annual Report June 2011 The approved President’s Annual Report highlights significant accomplishments for Trent during the 2010-11 year. The report outlines the draft President’s Priority Objectives (from the Integrated Plan) for the 2011-12 coming year. These objectives include: • Commitment to Academic Excellence supported by a long term Academic Plan The report noted that work will begin in 2011-2012 on two important priorities: • A Strategic Information Technology Plan Formation of New Research Centres – Annual Research Report: Approval was given to the creation of two new Centres at the University. The proposal for the formation of the “Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research” was approved. The Centre was previously endorsed by the Research Policy Committee on March 31, 2011 and by Senate on May 10, 2011. Formation of the Centre represents the final phase in the process begun when Dr. Suresh Narine was recruited from the University of Alberta. Earlier steps included establishing the Biomaterials lab and recruiting the highly qualified personnel (HQP) required for the research programme. The University’s Strategic Research Plan (February 2008) identifies a number of strategic research clusters. The Proposal for the Formation of the Biomaterials Centre aligns with Cluster 5: Environmental Science, Materials Science and Quantitative Modelling, and supports the goal of continuing to develop research strengths in these areas. The proposal for the formalization of the “Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre” (NRDPFC) at Trent was approved. The NRDPFC is now recognized as a Research Centre pursuant to the Trent University policy on Research Organizations. Recognition of the NRDPFC as a formal Trent research Centre will leverage long standing partnerships with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and optimize the benefits to the Trent research community. As a formal Trent Research Centre, the NRDPFC will further enhance the acquisition and implementation of contracts with government agencies and the private sector. The Strategic Research Plan (February 2008) identifies a number of strategic research clusters. The proposal for the formalization of the NRDPFC aligns with Cluster 1: Biological and Forensic Sciences and supports the goal of continuing to develop research strengths in these areas. The Board approved the annual report on University research and the Policy on Research Organizations. The annual report confirmed that Trent continues to expand its research activities which have doubled in the past decade. Total research revenues now exceed $17.5-million. It was noted that the newly approved Centres will contribute to Trent’s on-going research performance. - 30 - For more information contact: Don Cumming, Acting Vice-President, External Relations and Advancement |
